FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

Shortly before the messengers from Cornelius showed up at Simon’s home where Peter was staying, Peter had a vision which culminated in the message from the Lord, “ What God has cleansed you must not call common .” Then, “ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them .’” What transpired the following day in Caesarea was remarkable. For the first time Gentiles received the Holy Spirit and the new birth. Jesus had told the disciples that He had other sheep besides the children of Israel and had also told them, “ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Sa- maria, and to the end of the earth .” (Acts 1:8). Yet to this moment in time they had limited the preaching of the gospel primarily to areas where the Tora was taught. Peter seemed to be more concerned with the Jewish customs which made it unlawful for him to enter into a Gentile’s home. (Act 10:28). But because of the direction of the Holy Spirit and the undeniable coordination of events by the Lord, Peter broke new ground by taking the gospel to the Gentiles for the first time. The Gentiles received the Holy Spirit, and, for the first time since the first out-pouring on Pentecost with tongues of fire, the holy spirit was received without the laying on of hands. Acts 10:34-36 “ Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all ” Acts 10:44-46 “ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.. ” Because of the revolutionary nature of this occurrence apostles and leaders in Jerusalem were gathered to consider the events and the effects, as well as how it appeared to contradict their understanding of the Tora. They concluded that the events and results were the activity and the will of the Lord and summed up their findings.

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